Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has launched a scathing attack on Cricket Australia’s management over George Bailey’s selection as captain of the side for the World T20.

Terming the inclusion of Bailey as a handicap to Australia’s prospects at the ICC event in Sri Lanka, Chappell says the selectors have gone against tradition by first picking captain and then selecting a team around him.

“They (Australia) are handicapping themselves when they are leaving David Hussey out of the lineup,” Chappell told Cricinfo.

“And the handicap has come about because they have picked a captain and then they have picked a team around the captain and that is not the Australian way of doing it.”

Chappell says Victorian trio Glenn Maxwell, Cameron White and David Hussey all deserve places in the side ahead of middle-order batsman Bailey.

“When you are fitting George Bailey in and one of David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell or Cameron White is going to miss out, three pretty dynamic middle-order players, it's a mistake and it's a handicap for Australia.”

Bailey made his debut as player and captain of the national T20 side in February 2012 and averages 25.00 in eight games with a highest score of 42 against Pakistan in Dubai earlier this month.

Australia’s coach Mickey Arthur, however, dismissed Chappell's remarks, saying Bailey is a phenomenal leader and he couldn't be happier with the 30-year-old's contribution to the side.